Fast Cheesie Potatoes

Preheat oven at 350* 1 - 16oz pkg. frozen French-fried potatoes, thawed 3 Tblsp. creamy Italian salad dressing 1 tsp. instanct minced onion 1/4 tsp. dried dillweed (opt). Use your favorite herb seasoning...experiment! 1 cup shredded American cheese (4oz) or the cheese of your choice Place fries on an 18x18 inch square of heavy foil. Pour Italian dressing over them coating thoroughly. Sprinkle with instant minced onions and dillweed. Bring edges of foil up, leaving a little space for expansion. Seal securely, forming a packet (remembering the small opening). Heat packet in oven for about 15 to 22 minutes or until potatoes are hot. Top with shredded American cheese, then toss and serve at once. Enjoy

New Gadget

I saw it & had to buy it......What is it? A new gadget called "Captureview". This thing is actually a pair of binoculars with a built-in camera. I took this picture from my Jeep today on my way back from Tyler,TX. That's Lake Palestine. Don't worry, I wasn't driving at the time. By the way, the picture was taken through the front windshield. Cool...uh! To be continued.........

"WackyPac"

Read about more of the "Wacky" world of quilters & friends on the "10s" blog space @ http://wackypac.blogspot.com

That Last Little Bit

Yesterday.....after the hill....you know from the previous post, I decided to mow. First I mowed my mother's yard, then mine. I was on a roll. The day was sunny, cool and just a joy to behold. The picture you are viewing is of the "new" faucet and that last little bit of mowing that I had to do. All I had to do was mow in that corner but suddenly the mower lunged forward straight into the faucet............water went everywhere. Calmly, I turned off the main waterline and tried to think of what to do. Did I mention that I'd not married, my dad died a long time ago, my cousin across the field had a heart attack is would be unable to help me...... What to do? After severl panic filled minutes...I went to Lowe's (a 30minute trip) asked for help and a very nice plumming person fixed me up. I went home & just as I was unloading my "stuff," another cousin was driving by. Of course I flagged him down, explained what happened..leaving out the lunging mower & he took pity on me and fixed it.

The moral of this story..........never try to do that last little bit.....leave it for another day!

The Hill

I'm home now (20mins later) but my legs still like jelly. So I think I'll mow the yard! Makes sense.

The Hill

Hope you read about our walking adventure on the WackyPac blog. If not just find it on my blog....somewhere to the right and further down my page to read about "The Hill." Patty (in blue) is waiting for Kathy L. (in white) and Molly and I are bringing up the rear.

"WeeeeeStinky"

Here's yet another pic. of my lovable pet helping out in his own special way. LOL By the way.....I don't have pets or plants or anything else in my home. No, I not allergic. I'm just strange. I don't want to be near anything that flies, slithers, flutters, crawls, creeps, lopes, buzzes, waddles, etc. Get the picture? I told you, "strange." So my little stuffed skunk is right up my alley.

"Furry Companion & Stashbusters"

The question was posed....What do you do with that oh so helpful four-legged sewing companion? How do you go about distracting him/her from helping so much & please share a picture? Well, here's a picture of my companion "WeeeeeStinky" who has been with me for several years. He usually follows me around in my sewing room but when I ask him to move out of the way, most of the time he obeys. Shhhhhhh! Actually "WeeeeeStinky" is a stuffed animal that one of students gave me years ago. I love to rug his fur and we seem to communicate very well. So I would say in answer to the question that I don't really have to worry about my "pet" getting in the way.

Wait For It

Wait For It Originally uploaded by ravelly1.

Having fun while doing something worthwhile. Click on our picture to view all the things we did.

"Done"

I finished it today!..........Remember the one block of diamonds from two weeks ago that I published? Well, I put the pedal to the metal and my head down and finished it. This was only the third time that I've used the 30/60 degree method. I really had to think and watch what I was doing with my ruler. We always think in "straight" terms but the 30/60 method is on the diagonal. Severl other ladies took the class with me and are in various stages of completion. Don't be afraid of the 30/60 angle. You can get some dramatic quilts from the cut. This quilt is in honor of all colin cancer survivers...thus the colors blue and beige.

"TaDa"

I was looking through some old quilt magazines, again & stumbled upon this idea. The lady was using her scraps of Batiks to make a stained glass quilt. Well fortunately...I had some in my "stash." I added the cross in the middle to complete my version. It was quick and easy. The quilt measures 35"X47" and only took me one day to make it... what with cutting, sewing, squaring up, watching closely so that I didn't place to like fabrics too close together. Not bad for a day's work.

Finishing Touches

Finally, I have the time to finish the many unfinished quilt tops. Most of them need borders but sometimes I have a mind-block about borders. So I bought a "Borders" book. Now I can't decide which border to place on each quilt. Decision, decisions. I also have quilt blocks all stored away in zip-loc bags...you know the 2 gal. bags that are hard to come by. LOL So, I thinking I need to suck it up and just do it. That's why I'd writing this post. If I put it in writing "blog it".....then I have to finish it. Right?

I Learn Something New Today!

This picture of a snow covered tree is a symbol of something I learned today. Did you know that if you log-in as a new blogger, you can upload pictures from Picasa2?

A Learning Experience for All

We Wacky quilting sisters often help one another. Today it was Annie's turn. Blogging can be fun in a group.

This is what happens after so much blogging or was it ripping the same seam five times! You lose your mind, pull out your hair & spin around like a top.

Finished Projects

It sure feels good to finally put the finishing touchs on a project. Why is it that you get to a certain point with your quilt top and suddenly stop working on it? That's what happened with these projects. The leaf quilt needed borders, the hearts and flowers needed two borders. By the way, I had already pre-cut those months ago. The Howdy quilt is the miniature to the ones I had already made. It was easier to make but harder to finish. I swear, I'm getting slower in my old age.

Now all I have to do is get these to my favorite machine quilter, Kathy, before she goes on vacation. Shhhhhhh! Don't let on that I'm coming. I wouldn't want to spook her off.

Salute

I made this quilt a few years ago because I loved to color combination and because I love my country. I grew up singing My Country Tis of Thee and O Beautiful in our two room school and watch Ethel Merman belt out God Bless America. It still gives me chills.

The pattern is "Yellowbrick Road" and at the bottom of the quilt, I added a panel strip which says "God Bless America."

Now this quilt reminds me of how lucky I am to live in a country that is so great, with freedoms that we don't even realize sometimes. Now I look at this quilt and think about our soldiers fighting for us daily, hourly...fighting to maintain that freedom. I salute them.

Jeans, Jeans, Jeans

I've got a storage box filled with "already" cut denim jean legs. I cut them up thinking to make a denim quilt. That was a year ago. The quilt is not going to happen but the jeans are still here. If anyone wants them, please let me know in the comment area....and they're all yours....free of charge.

"Box not included"

My Own

This quilt is entitled "Howdy." The idea came from my love of the 1950-60's westerns. I know I'm dating myself but that's ok, too. This is my own pattern that I'm thinks of marketing or something. The fabric was well thought out and I think, really makes the quilt. Because the silhouetts can be blown up or shrunk, one could make a wall-hanging or a queen size quilt. On the second pic., there are two different blocks. See if you can spot them. I'm going to play with the pattern and see what happens.

(Click on the picture to get a better view) Give me some feedback, please.

"Comments on Novel"

Please leave your comments.

Night Class

Last night I was invited to sew with Patty & Kathy's group. As tired as I was, I went anyway. Always ready to sew. In a couple of hours, I managed to get 15 blocks made. Kathy put the finishing touch on her quilt which was made using "Civil War" nickel squares and tone-on tones.

(pictured)

Blogging Troubles

After a great day of sewing, which I have to explain.....why trying to "upload" some pics. from Slide.com to make a slide show, I sewed 12 more diamond blocks. It was kind of fun running back and forth from my sewing room to the computer. Anyway, I called Patty to see how her blogging was coming along.......Not good. So I hopped in my Jeep and drove over to her house to help out. By the way, how many Wackies does it take to find, fix and upload onto a blog? If you said 2 ..... you would be WRONG. It takes 3. The 2 that are hopelessly lost and the one on the phone to talk us through it (Molly). Finally Patty is up and running. Visit her blog. Look for the elephant.

Sewing At Grimes

The other day KathyL called and bugged me into taking a class at our local fabric and sewing center. They needed more people.....Ok, I fell for it. Next she had be preparing my fabric, ironing, straching, cutting strips. After that I loaded up my sewing supplies and patiently waited for the next day. Here's my results. The class was run and I did learn quite a bit but I don't sew well in class. I'll finish this when I get home. LOL

I See You!

Fun Piecing

Piecing a quilt top is always fun but I always seem to have a problem deciding on the borders or I wait too long before adding them (months). So I figured I put pressure on myself and post the top of my blog, then give myself 6 days to complete the project and post the completion. Wish me luck.

A Mighty Oak

A mighty oak grew in my yard, straight and strong and true.

A might oak grew in my yard, branchs forking to the sky.

A might oak grew in my yard, beneath it others lie.

A might oak grew in my yard, God made it just as He made me and you.

Poem by Rhonda

Relay for Life 2007

The WackyPac decided to donate a quilt to the local "Relay for Life." The colors for colon cancer are blue and white/cream. This is only a glimpse of what we like to do.

Well, Well, Well!

Hey, WackyPac! I did it. I did it. I did it. My counter is in place after 15 hours of pain and agony. It's in place. Don't ask me how I did it. Molly helped and probably sent up a prayer but it worked. Ta-Da!

Counter!

I have done all that I can think of, actually read all instructions but I know I'm over looking something. Aaarrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Counting!@&#*$^%&#*(@~

Last night I tried to place a "counter" on my blog without very much success. I chatted with Molly to ask her how and she helped "but" I still made a mess. I'm too old for some of this new technology even though some say I'm ahead of my time. I think I'll go into a dark, dark room and soothe myself with strong drink & a slice of lime! But don't worry about me. I'll get that "Counter" on my blog if it takes forever!

A Snowy Easter

What a surprise! Snow for Easter. How awesome-Saturday, April 7, 2007 around 5PM.

Love

FYI When you type "love" on your hello, a little pink heart appears and falls off the page. Love & hearts, what a wonder way to share your feelings. Sappy but cool.

Daliah's

Fun was had at Daliah's this night. We laughed, we ate, we enjoyed the evening. It's good to be a Wacky!

Mowing!

Aaaaaaachew!

I mowed 2 yards today (Mom's & mine) and afterwards I felt like a big grit-ball. After a shower I was able to get back to some serious sewing. Maybe have something to show at Daliah's. I'll be there early.

Crunchy Mandarin Orange Salad

1 10 oz. pkg. mixed salad greens 1 11 oz. can mandarin oranges sections or fresh 8 1 3 oz. pkg. ramen noodles, crushed and seasoning pkg. removed 1 cup dry roasted cashews (OPT) Asian Ginger BBQ Dressing - see instructions below. Combine greens, oranges, noodles, & nuts in large bowl. Add dressing; toss well. Asian Ginger BBQ Dressing: Combine 1/3 cup bottled sesame ginger marinade, 3 tablespoons bottled honey barbecue sauce, & 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce or 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving. Totals: 390 cal; 19g fat; 0mg chol; 48g carb; 3g fiber Mmmmmmmmm Good!